Geotextile sheeting stabilized fiberglass swimming pool body

ABSTRACT

A preformed swimming pool assembly, including a preformed swimming pool body outer surface and a plurality of stabilizing sheets connected to the preformed swimming pool body outer surface. The stabilizing sheets may be extended away from the preformed swimming pool body for anchoring underground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/873,468, filed on Sep. 4, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present novel technology relates generally to the field of excavation, and, more particularly, to an in-ground fiberglass pool bodies stabilized with extended geotextile sheets.

BACKGROUND

Preformed fiberglass swimming pools offer many advantages over in-situ formed shotcrete or concrete walled swimming pools. Fiberglass pool bodies may be quickly and inexpensively formed and require considerably less effort to put into the ground. The main drawback associated with fiberglass swimming pools has been the tendency for the sides to bulge inward if the backfill around the pool is not properly done. The backfill around the pool perimeter is typically sand, gravel, or a combination of the two. In the case of sand, a poor backfilling job may result in settling of the sand, which may lead to an inward bulging of the pool sidewalls. Gravel backfill is less prone to flowing and settling, but is harder to evenly distribute around the outer surface of a pool, especially if that surface is irregular. Further, some pool owners insist upon emptying the pool of water, such as for thorough cleaning, and fiberglass pool designs rely on the water to provide positive pressure to resist inward bulging of the sides.

Thus, there remains a need for a method and apparatus that would allow easy installation of a preformed fiberglass pool body while providing additional support to resist the inward bulging of the pool sidewalls over time. The present novel technology addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present novel technology relates to a method and apparatus for providing a sidewall support and reinforcement system around a fiberglass swimming pool. One object of the present novel technology is to provide an improved fiberglass swimming pool system. Related objects and advantages of the present novel technology will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment fiberglass pool assembly of the present novel technology.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the pool assembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the curtain of FIG. 1 having anchor sheets deployed therearound.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the curtain of FIG. 1 having attached anchor sheets rolled up against the pool body.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hydro valve system for equalizing hydrostatic pressure without and within a pool body, according to another embodiment of the present novel technology.

FIG. 6 is a first perspective view of the valve system of FIG. 5 engaged with a pool body.

FIG. 7 is a second perspective view of the valve system of FIG. 5 engaged with a pool body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

Geotextiles are stable fabrics designed to not degrade when embedded in soil for extended periods of time. Geotextiles are also permeable so as to allow the passage of fluids there through, such that they may be used to provide reinforcement without also creating a drainage problem. Geotextile materials are typically made from polymers such as polypropylenes, polyesters, or the like, and may be formed by such processes as weaving, spin melting, heat bonding, or the like.

The present novel technology relates to a system 10 for mounting or installing a fiberglass or like preformed swimming pool body 15 into a freshly dug excavation, and includes a at least one, and more typically a plurality, of flexible, tough sheet segments 20 securely bonded to one or more exterior sidewalls 25 of the pool body 15 for extension therefrom. Typically, a plurality of geotextile, fiberglass, or like material anchoring sheets 20 are bonded to the pool body 15 at one or more exterior sidewalls 25 at one or more different elevations 30 (distances from the top lip 35 of the pool body 15 when oriented for positioning in the ground) and are spaced around the pool body perimeter. Prior to putting the pool body 15 into the ground, each geotextile sheet 20 is typically rolled up and secured to the pool sidewall 20 for transport and convenience of storing, such as with a zip tie or the like. After the pool body 15 is positioned into the excavation, the excavation around the pool body 15 is backfilled (typically with gravel) to the level of the lowermost sheet(s) 20. The lowermost sheets 20 are unrolled and extended over the backfill surface and are placed thereupon, and additional backfill material (typically soil and/or sand and/or gravel and/or combinations thereof) is backfilled into the excavation onto the extended sheets 20. When the level of backfill material reaches the level of the next set of sheets 20, the sheets 20 at that elevation 30 are likewise extended and the filling process is continued. The weight of the soil pressing on the extended sheets 30, as securely bonded to the fiberglass outer walls 25, is sufficient to generate an outward force on the walls 25 to at least partially counter the inward force produced by the soil around the pool body 15. Optionally, the backfill may be compacted manually or with a mechanical compactor at one or more points during the backfilling process.

The geotextile sheets 20 are typically about a meter wide or long, and typically extend up to about meter from the pool sidewall, more typically about 0.5 meters, and still more typically about 0.25 meters, although the width and length of the sheets 20 may vary from pool body 15 to pool body 15. Likewise, the total number of sheets 20 required will vary with the total surface area of the pool sidewalls 25. In other words, bigger pool bodies 15 may require more sheets 20.

Typically, the sheets 20 are attached at elevations (depths or distances) 30 of about two feet from the lip 35 of the pool body 15, about four feet from the lip 35 of the pool body 15, and about six feet from the lip 35 of the pool body 15. These distances may vary with pool body 15 depth, and some pool bodies 15 may require sheets 20 positioned at only one or two elevations 30. Alternately, the sheets 20 may each be attached at their own individual elevations 30 or distances from the pool body lip 35.

The sheets 20 are typically securely bonded to a pool exterior sidewall 25, such as by an additional application of a fiberglass fusion bonds or volumes 40, by an adhesive material bond 40, or the like.

In operation, the sheets 20 extend from the pool body 15 to which they are secured into the excavation into which the pool body 15 has been placed. Backfill is poured to partially fill the excavation. Respective portions of at least some of the respective sheets 20 (typically those positioned at the lowermost elevations 30 or levels from the lip 35) extend onto the relatively flat, horizontal backfill portion that has partially filled the excavation around the pool body 15, where they are anchored such as by extending anchoring members therethrough, by positioning weighted masses (i.e., more backfill) thereupon, or the like. This process is repeated until all of the sheets 20 have been extended onto backfill and then covered with more backfill and buried and anchored in place. The weight of the backfill material on the sheets 20 generates a frictional anchoring force thereupon that resists movement of the sheets 20, thus creating a pulling force on the pool exterior sidewalls 15 opposing any pushing force generated by the backfill thereagainst.

This process may define a method of stabilizing the sidewalls of a preformed swimming pool body 15, including bonding a first anchor sheet 20 to an exterior surface 25 of a preformed swimming pool body 15 and then extending the first anchor sheet 20 over a first volume of backfill material 45, followed by laying the extended first anchor sheet 20 on a first volume of backfill surface 50 and then burying the extended first anchor sheet 20 under a second volume of backfill material 45. The method is continued by next bonding a second anchor sheet 20 to an exterior surface 25 of a preformed swimming pool body 15, extending the second anchor sheet 20 over the second volume of backfill material 45, laying the extended second anchor sheet 20 on a second volume of backfill surface 50 and finally burying the extended second anchor sheet 20 under a third volume of backfill material 45. Additional elevations 30 of sheets 20 may be added accordingly. The anchor sheet 20 is typically a porous geotextile material. Typically, the first and subsequent anchor sheets 20 each define a plurality of geotextile segments arrayed in a row around the preformed swimming pool body 15 and positioned substantially equidistantly from a top edge 40. The backfill material 45 is typically selected from the group comprising soil, sand, gravel and combinations thereof.

The pool body 15 may be of any convenient shape, including rectangular, generally rectangular, kidney shaped, round, oval, or the like. The sheets 20 may extend from opposing sidewalls 25, adjacent sidewalls 25, from random positions, or the like.

In one alternate embodiment, geotextile sheets 20 are affixed to fiberglass pool bodies 15 already put into the ground. The soil and/or backfill material around the emplaced pool bodies 15 is partially excavated, and one or more geothermal sheets 20 are attached at one end to the pool body sidewall 25, such as with a fiberglass application, adhesive, or the like. The sheets 20 are then extended and the excavated soil and/or backfill is replaced to weight down and bury the one or more sheets 20 to hold them in place and generate the pulling forces on the fiberglass pool sidewall 25.

In another embodiment, as seem in FIGS. 5-7, a hydro valve system 100 is disclosed for equalizing water pressure without and within the pool body 15. The system 100 includes a fluidic access port 110 positioned on the pool sidewall and extending therethrough. The port 110 is typically positioned within a foot from the bottom of the pool body 15. A fluidic conduit 115 extends generally horizontally from the port 110 to a T-junction 120. The T-junction 120 connects to a fluidic conduit 125 extending generally vertically away from the T-junction toward the top edge 35 and positioned generally perpendicularly to conduit 115, and also to a fluidic conduit 130 extending generally vertically away from the T-junction away from the top edge 35. Conduit 125 typically includes a (typically threaded) terminal end 135 near the top edge 35 and more typically includes a (typically threaded) cap 140 removably engageable to the terminal end 135.

Conduit 130 connects to an L-shaped joint 145, which connects at one end to conduit 130 and at the other end to conduit 150 through check valve 155. Conduit 150 extends perpendicularly to conduit 130, and is typically directed under the pool body 15. Conduit 150 is typically perforated, and is more typically covered by a silt sock 160 for passing water there through while blocking particulate matter. The check valve 155 allows for flow from conduit 150 to conduit 130, but not from conduit 130 to conduit 150.

Hydro valve 165 is removably positioned in conduit 130. Hydro valve directs water from conduit 150 flowing through check valve 155 and into conduit 130 through conduit 115 and into the pool body 15, in the event of an excess of build-up of water under the pool body 15. The water pressure associated with excess water building up under the pool body 15 is thus relieved by directing the excess water into the pool body 15, reducing the likelihood of the water pressure upwardly urging and displacing the pool body 15.

Hydro valve 165 is held in place by one or more O-rings 170, and may be inserted and/or removed through conduit 125, such as by use of an elongated removal tool extending through terminal end 135 to conduit 130. This allows the hydro valve to be pulled, changed, and/or cleaned from the pool deck without the need of personal submersion. The hydro valve 165 is inserted and/or removed without the need of threading. Leakage or removal of the hydro valve 165 does not result in water emptying from the pool body 15.

While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected. 

We claim:
 1. A preformed swimming pool assembly, comprising: a preformed swimming pool body outer surface; and a plurality of stabilizing sheets connected to the preformed swimming pool body outer surface; wherein the stabilizing sheets may be extended away from the preformed swimming pool body for anchoring underground.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the preformed swimming pool body is fiberglass; wherein the stabilizing sheets are geotextile material, and wherein the stabilizing sheets are bonded to the swimming pool body with fiberglass fusion volumes.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein respective stabilizing sheets are connected to opposing swimming pool body outer surfaces.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a lip connected to the swimming pool body outer surface; and wherein respective stabilizing sheets are connected to the outer surface at different distances from the lip.
 5. A fiberglass swimming pool system, comprising: an excavation; a fiberglass pool body outer surface positioned in the excavation; a plurality of geotextile sheets connected to the fiberglass pool body outer surface and extending away therefrom; and backfill material burying the respective geotextile sheets.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the respective geotextile sheets are fiberglass bonded to the fiberglass pool body.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the pool body is rectangular and wherein respective geotextile sheets extend from opposing sides of the pool body.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein the backfill material is selected from the group comprising soil, sand, gravel and combinations thereof.
 9. A method of stabilizing the sidewalls of a preformed swimming pool body, comprising: a) bonding a first anchor sheet to an exterior surface of a preformed swimming pool body; b) extending the first anchor sheet over a first volume of backfill material; c) laying the extended first anchor sheet on a first volume of backfill surface; and d) burying the extended first anchor sheet under a second volume of backfill material.
 10. The method of claim 9, and further comprising: e) bonding a second anchor sheet to an exterior surface of a preformed swimming pool body; f) extending the second anchor sheet over the second volume of backfill material; g) laying the extended second anchor sheet on a second volume of backfill surface; and h) burying the extended second anchor sheet under a third volume of backfill material.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the anchor sheet is a porous geotextile material.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the first anchor sheet further comprises a plurality of geotextile segments arrayed in a row around the preformed swimming pool body and positioned substantially equidistantly from a top edge.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the backfill material is selected from the group comprising soil, sand, gravel and combinations thereof. 